Made in America: The truth about Chinese food

Katherine Martinelli is an internationally published food and travel writer and photographer who contributes regularly to publications on three continents. She recently released her first cookbook, Puff Pastry at Brunch: 10 Sweet and Sa...

Are your favorite dishes authentic?

Chinese food in America is nearly as popular as pizza and hamburgers and is a favorite take-out option. But how close to the real thing is what we think of as Chinese food?

Made in America

Are your favorite dishes authentic?

Chinese food in America is nearly as popular as pizza and hamburgers and is a favorite take-out option. But how close to the real thing is what we think of as Chinese food?

You might be surprised to learn the true origins of some items that are standbys on American Chinese restaurant menus. But don't go looking for fortune cookies or General Tso's chicken in China!

Chop suey

Popular particularly in the mid 20th century in American Chinese restaurants, chop suey can actually be traced back to China. It literally means "assorted pieces" and can be cooked with any meat and combination of vegetables. In China, it is typically accompanied by rice while in the U.S. it's more commonly seen with noodles and is today more often called chow mein.

Fortune cookies

Although fortune cookies are an essential part of the American Chinese restaurant experience, they are virtually unknown in China. While their exact origin is unclear, they appear to have been invented in the U.S. by Japanese immigrants on the West Coast in the early 1900s. They became popular in Chinese restaurants after World War II.

General Tso's chicken

This deep-fried chicken dish in a thick, sweet-and-sour sauce is another American favorite that has no roots in China. General Tso was a real person who lived in the 19th century, but neither he nor his descendants were or are familiar with his namesake dish. A number of restaurants, mostly in New York, claim to have invented the dish.

Kung pao chicken

Americans may be surprised to learn that kung pao chicken is actually one of the more authentic dishes to grace standard American Chinese food menus. This spicy stir-fried chicken dish comes from the Szechuan province of China, which is famous for its fiery foods. The traditional Szechuan version, which uses super hot Szechuan peppercorns, tends to be spicier than its American counterpoint.

Moo shu

Another surprisingly accurate version of a Chinese dish is moo shu. Originally from Northern China, it began popping up on American Chinese restaurant menus in the 1960s and has been a popular standby ever since. Although pork is the most authentic meat option, chicken, tofu, vegetables or seafood can be substituted. The dish is served with flour moo shu pancakes instead of rice.

Peking duck

Peking duck is an iconic dish for good reason: It is considered the national food of China and has been around for centuries. Served with bean sauce and pancakes (similar to moo shu pancakes), the duck is roasted in a very particular way to make the meat moist and the skin crispy, which is why most American Chinese restaurants ask that you order it ahead of time.